No. 25 not in rafters, but time will tell

Andreychuk is in no hurry

TAMPA - The Lightning did not retire Dave Andreychuk's number Tuesday.

Nothing personal, team president Ron Campbell said. In fact, he pointed out Andreychuk's No. 25 has not been issued to another player and there are no plans to do so.

It's just that, "We just don't feel the time is right right now," Campbell said.

"We've contemplated. We'll continue to think about it. It's not anything where a decision has been made, and there's no specific criteria. It's like a fine wine. It gets better with age. It's something that you look at over time."

Andreychuk, Tampa Bay's former captain and its new community relations liaison, said retiring his number was not even on his mind.

"Oh, God, no," he said. "The organization has treated me so well. I don't care."

Campbell acknowledged Andreychuk's contributions and leadership in helping bring the Stanley Cup to Tampa: "And five years from now we may look back and say that was the highlight moment of this franchise and, 'Hey, you know what? Let's do it.' "

THE RIGHT STUFF: The Lightning announced the establishment of the Dave Andreychuk Scholarship of Excellence, an annual award to an area youth hockey player who "exemplifies determination, leadership and commitment to excellence on the ice, in the classroom and in the community."

EARLY EXIT: Andre Roy left the game in the second period with a charley horse in his left thigh, he said.

Roy, in his first game since being acquired off waivers from the Penguins, said he sustained the injury on his first shift of the period while trying to throw a check.

He had just 2:52 of ice time.

It was eventful, though, as on his first shift he fought Sabres tough guy Andrew Peters. Roy landed the first punch then wrestled Peters to the ground.

Roy said he had so much adrenaline, he wanted to get the bout out of the way early. He said Peters seemed to know it, too.

"He was looking at me and he said, 'You want to go?' I said, 'Sure, let's go,' " Roy said. "I tried to give a boost to my team."

A REUNION, OF SORTS: For the third straight game, Eric Perrin played on a line with center Brad Richards and childhood friend Marty St. Louis.

Perrin and St. Louis grew up in Laval, Quebec, and played together at the University of Vermont.

"To be able to play at this level together and score goals and create opportunities, of course it brings back memories," Perrin said. "But you try not to think too much about that. You just have to focus on being smart out there and contributing."